STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — And just like that, the Colonnade Diner killed its round-the-clock format.
The change marks a shift from the 24-hour schedule the diner had planned to implement on Oct. 1. It went into effect briefly but was met with a tepid reception, said one server.
Still, late-night diners still have reason to celebrate. The iconic eatery now operates 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Sunday, with extended hours until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Few 24-hour dining spots remain on Staten Island, among them Mike’s Unicorn Diner at 2944 Victory Blvd. (718-494-2173). McDonald’s at 2454 Hylan Blvd. in Midland Beach and some Dunkin’s are open around the clock but drive-thru only. Z-Two Diner & Lounge at 2925 Veterans Rd. W. once offered 24-hour service but now closes at 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 p.m. weekdays, and 9:30 p.m. Sundays (718-356-6800). Meanwhile, Mike’s Olympic Grill at 1637 Forest Ave. stays open until midnight daily—earning its nickname as the “23-hour diner” in the film “Easy Money.”
Owner Markos “Mike” Platis, 90, opened the Colonnade in 1975 at 2001 Hylan Blvd. Born in Greece, Platis still travels between his homeland and Staten Island.
He recently told the Advance, “I opened the diner in 1975. Back then, it was just a little place. I remember the early days—we had maybe 200 people come in, then another 275 later in the afternoon. It was busy for hours straight.”
Originally dubbed the “Disco Diner,” the spot became a late-night favorite after evenings of clubbing and dancing. It was one of the first restaurants in the borough to have its original building physically moved to a new location.
Over the years, the Colonnade expanded to include an outdoor solarium, a catering room, and the Santorini Café, a rooftop space named after Platis’ birthplace. The main dining room seats about 275 guests.
The diner has even appeared in films, including the 2016 thriller “Nerve,” starring Dave Franco and Emma Roberts. The production rented the entire diner and an adjacent property owned by Platis for filming.
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